May 3, 2021: Turning Point

I’m always looking for that turning point in the season, where my team starts to play a whole hell of a lot better than they have been playing. It’s the same with all my teams, but with the Cubs, in a 162 game season, there are many of them; I thought this past Saturday vs the Reds may have been one of them.

What the heck is up with Amir Garrett? I’m not even going to check if I spelled his name correctly. Plain and simple, he’s sucked this year; he’s not very good in general to be honest. So maybe that explains why he was so excited after striking out Rizzo; was that the best pitch of his year? Did it win the game for the Reds? Did it get him out of a big jam? I wasn’t watching the game when it happened, but obviously saw all the stuff after it. The best thing was the Baez middle finger to Garrett after he jumped over the dugout railing to confront him. It was kind of funny listening to Javy talk about it after the game, especially Javy, because he will certainly “celebrate” his home runs. But this is different, right? Like he said, and I think I agree with him, this wasn’t about pumping up his own team… this was about putting down the other team. It’s like what they taught us in little league. You can cheer as loud as you want for YOUR team, but don’t go talking crap to the other team. None of those 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, pitcher looks like Frankenstein chants. So even though Javy, and other Cubs, show a ton of emotion, it’s more about trying to pump the Cubs up… God knows they need it… vs put the other team down. On that note, F you Amir.

I thought, yes, this was what the Cubs needed; something to get them out of their hitting slump. Well, it certainly got them to hit the ball, to the tune of 12 runs in Sunday’s rubber match with the Reds; unfortunately, it wasn’t enough… go figure. Still, glad to see the offense do something, although, is this just another example of a BOOM game, to soon be followed up with many BUST games? Time will tell on that one…

Couple other quick thoughts on the Cubs. Hey Rossy, stop trying to rotate people in the lead off spot; you have a perfect lead off hitter… you just have to start using him there. Let’s not keep doing the dance around the reason why he was sent down to begin the year, and let’s embrace the fact that this kid is an absolute stud. Nico Hoerner needs to be batting leadoff for this team. Happ has been given a chance, again; I think it’s safe to move on from him. In fact, I think we should have traded high on Happy after last year… then he goes and hits the game tying 3 run homer on Sunday right after I said this… haha. But back to the leadoff spot… Rizzo? Really? That was cute for a while, but come on. Maybe Marisnick, if he was an every day player, but he’s not. Nico is. Nico should be hitting at the top of the order from here on out. How long will it take Rossy to figure this out?

OK, I was ready to see this turning point turn into wins on Monday night, but the game was PPD… due to rain that never came; whatever. Double header on Tuesday coming our way; will those bats stay hot? Spoiler alert: yes. Go Cubs!